Tragedy should open debate
The tragic death of four RCMP officers in Alberta immediately sparked debate over this country's laws regarding marijunana.
We think the debate is needed.
Yes, the circumstances that prompted it are horrific, but doesn't that always seem to be the only way to get people to pay attention to an issue?rnThere has already been much debate over the de-criminalization of personal marijuana use because it is supposedly tying up the court's time and resouces. In fact, there is already a bill set to go into the House of Commons.
Not surprisingly, supporters of that bill have come out against making changes because of one violent act by a deranged, violent man whose action had nothing to with the grow-op that was found on his property.
We find that argument ridiculous. Had it not been for the grow-op, the police wouldn't have been there in the first place.
We also can't help but ask how this man, with a history of violence and criminal activity, financed this farm where the four officers were killed?
It is impossible to take the grow-op out of the equation as supporters of marijuana use would like us to do.
We have heard arguments that it is the violent activities, not the marijuana itself, which should be targetted by the law. How can the legal system possibly accomplish that? Does that mean if you don't have a gun on your grow-op the law should treat you differently than one that does? It simply doesn't make sense.
Police officers have long been warning that the marijuana of today is a much more potent drug than it was 20 years ago, and yet our society (or at least some elements within it) want to see this drug legalized, and appear offended when a counter-argument is even raised.
We are truly saddened by the loss of four RCMP officers, but we fully support the debate it is going to spark over how this country truly wants to deal with the dangerous issue of marijuana.
